Kathmandu is the largest city and the capital and heart of Nepal. Once thought to be the fabled and inaccessible Shangri-La, Kathmandu is now a hub for independent travellers as well as a growing vacation spot catering to all budgets. In the distant dawn of unrecorded time, so legend tells us, the valley of Kathmandu was a turquoise lake with a wondrous lotus flower resting on it. Majushree (Padmasambav), a patriarch saint from China sliced the valley wall with his flaming sword of wisdom at Chovar and let the dry land appear. The lotus flower settled on the valley floor over which Manjushree built the great stupa of Swoyambhunath.
Situated at an altitude of 1,336m above sea level, Kathmandu is the cradle of Nepalese civilization and culture. It is a living museum of ancient temples, palaces, shrines, squares and courtyards. It is also the fairy tale land of kings, queens, princes, princesses and living goddesses - still worshipped today. The valley comprises the three ancient Royal cities of Patan, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu having their own palaces and ornate palace squares each listed as World Heritage sites. There are cobbled lanes of the palace squares with a fascinating maze of temples, shrines, market places and the life revolving around it. The square also houses interesting artistic pieces that can easily divert one’s mind. Tourists can accumulate a sense of calm and tranquility with these medieval work of art, forgetting the hullabaloo of the bustling city close by.
The Kumari Devi is a young girl worshipped at the Taleju temple in Kathmandu Durbar Square as the incarnation of the Goddess Durga until she begins her menstrual cycle and loses divinity. 32 strict requirements identify a Kumari and many stringent tests confirm her status. Her palace known as Kumari Bahal has beautifully carved window frames, some of them carved in the shape of peacocks while the central one is covered in gold. The goddess appears out of the windows in the courtyards sometime and it all depends on your luck whether you can see her or not.
Swoyambhunath is the world’s most glorious Buddhist Chaityas built 2000 years ago is situated on a hillock about 77 meter above the level of the Kathmandu valley. The Temple of Pashupatinath is Nepal’s most scared Hindu shrine and one of the four most important sites in the world for Shiva worshippers. Visitors can clearly see the temple and the activities performed in the temple premises from the eastern bank of the Basmati river. Bodhnath, a colossal and ancient Stupa is the biggest in the world of its kind. It is located on flat land and encircled by houses & monasteries, where Rinpoches reside. It is also known as `little Tibet’ because of its unique atmosphere resembling old Barkhor marketplace in Lhasa. Dakshinkali temple is regarded as one of most important Hindu goddesses. Pilgrims visit this temple to offer their prayer and animal sacrifices to the goddess. Changu Narayan temple is richly decorated with sculptures and carvings. It is situated above the level of Kathmandu valley and provides a beautiful view of the landscape around. Budhanilkantha temple situated at the base of Shivapuri hill is a remarkable colossal statue of Lord Vishnu, reclining of the bed of snakes. This fifth century statue is in the middle of a small pond and seems to float in water.
The medieval towns of Bungmati & Khokhana are worth visiting to have the glimpse of Nepalese village life. The shrine of Red Machhindranath, the deity of rains is the highlight of Bungmati. At Khokana ancient oil presses can be seen at work in village houses. They produce manufacturing high quality mustard oil through traditional way. The shrine of Karya Binayak is located between the two villages. Sankhu, a legendary village is worth visiting, because of its old houses, beautiful wood-carved temples and old stone water taps. The famous temple of Goddess Ugratara Bajrayogini is situated at a 45 minute walking distance from here. Kirtipur town straddles two hills and a pond in between. At the bottom of the two hills, where they meet is the three-tiered Bagh Bhairab Temple, which is holy to both Hindus and Buddhists. Chovar is the site of a gorge where the water drains from the valley. It is situated 6 km southwest of the city and there is a small pagoda of Adinath on the top of the gorge. The Tibetan Camp situated on the outskirts of Patan has several souvenir shops offering authentic Tibetan handicrafts. Tibetan refugees can be seen weaving carpets by hand.
Nagarkot (2,165m) which literally means "Fort of City" is the most popular hill station near Kathmandu. Famous for sunrise and sunset views, Nagarkot offers the overwhelming panorama of the major peaks of eastern Nepal Himalayas. The place is surrounded by the terraced hillside and most beautiful scenery. Dhulikhel hill hown (1,650m) is an ancient Newari town situated east of Kathmandu and has spectacular views of the central Himalayas. Dhulikhel has a glorious past, which can be seen in many beautiful buildings and in intricate woodcarvings in the shop. The town offers a complete panoramic view of the snow-capped ranges from Karyolung in the east to Himalchuli in the west. These hills are a popular place to take a break from the hectic city life. Phulchowki hill (2,762m) is the highest on the valley rim. Lying 20 kms south east of Kathmandu, a road winds its way to the top where a small shrine is built to the mother of the forest, Phulchowki Mai. The trail up to the top passes through through lovely rhododendron & oak forests. Champa Devi (2,278m) is the highest peak on the Chandragiri Ridge south west of Kirtipur, affords a panoramic view of the west Kathmandu valley, back dropped by the snow covered Himalayas. Namoboudha (1,800m) meaning 'hail to the Buddha' is a very sacred site. Hike uphill to Namoboudha through charming villages affords some excellent mountain views and is a delightful way to see the picturesque countryside. Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu is a center of Mahayana Buddhism was established in 1969 by two Lamas; Lama Thupten Zopa Rinpoche and Lama Thupten Yeshe. Since its inception the center has been responsible for introducing thousands to Buddha's teaching through meditation courses, lectures and retreats.
Shivapuri (2,732m) is the second highest hill among the hills surrounding the Kathmandu valley. Lying in the transition zone between the subtropical and temperate climatic zones, its diverse vegetation is composed of pine, oak, rhododendron and others. Popular as trekking, hiking and recreation area, the Shivapuri National Park offers the nearest retreat away from the hubbub of city life. The wildlife found in the national park includes Himalayan black bear, leopard, jungle cat, and rhesus monkeys. The park is home to over 177 species of birds including 9 endangered species, over 100 species of butterflies including rare and threatened. The park is an entrance of the trekking routes to Gosainkunda, Helambu, Kagarkot and the Langtang National Park. The park is a spiritually significant for the popular shrines and meditation centers in the natural surroundings. The park consists of several religious and cultural heritage sites for the Hindus as well as Buddhists.
